Archive By Section - Local News

The Spirit of Oakdale Committee is once again putting out the call for cooked turkeys and/or financial donations to aid with putting on the 24th Annual Oakdale Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The event will be hosted on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. For donation information contact Vickie Thompson at (209) 606-3893 or Mickey Peabody at (209) 471-9859. Among the committee members are Larry Parshall, Vickie Thompson, Bill Houk, Troy Colvin, Anna Peabody, Gaye Steeley and Mickey Peabody.

An invitation has been extended to all veterans, their families, active military personnel and reservists and the entire community, urged to come together to observe Veterans Day with a special ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11.

In spite of concerns expressed by some that the revised city ordinance governing cannabis production within the city limits – both personal and commercial – smelled too strongly of oppressive bureaucracy, council members moved forward with a 4-0 vote to approve the proposed ordinance at the Monday, Nov. 6 meeting.

The first season of Oakdale Soccer Club (OSC) came to a close this past weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 28 T.L. Davis Sports Complex played host to OSC's season finale. Throughout the day, over 650 kids making up some three dozen teams invaded the sports complex and wrapped up their youth soccer season.

The local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club gathers for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko's Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 8. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.

Kyle MacFarlane poses with the new digestive motorcycle that will soon be in service in area schools, helping teach youngsters about digestive health and how difference foods impact your body. The motorcycle made its debut at Saturday's health fair put on by the Kyle MacFarlane Foundation at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, bringing together a wide range of health and wellness providers and businesses.

A friendly game of tic tac toe complete with pumpkins as markers was one of many activities available for families at the Fair Oaks Harvest Festival. Also, a mad scientist delighted an audience of eager students during a demonstration at Magnolia's annual Harvest Festival. The students were treated to a short show of experimentation and fun.

Going strong for more than 50 years, the Knights Ferry Pumpkin Roll brings competitors from around the region and even as far away as the Bay Area to try their hand at rolling a gourd along Main Street. Closest to the line wins; the event is always staged the first Sunday after Halloween and, this year, is set for Nov. 5. Remember to 'fall back' – turn your clocks back an hour Saturday night – so you don't get there too early.

It was all about accomplishments on Friday, as the Fair Oaks Falcons celebrated blowing up their Jog-a-Thon goal of $50,000. The school achieved a new district record collecting over $72,000 in donations. The festivities also included teachers Mike Seefeldt and Scott Pinkleman serving as brave volunteers of the 'Egg Russian Roulette' at the school's Jog-a-Thon celebration assembly, risking a chance to get some egg splattered on their heads.

The Valley Home General Store had a table with a bag of treats for each Valley Home student that made their way by the store during the annual Halloween Parade on Tuesday, Oct. 31. A Power Ranger was patiently waiting as the parade of youngsters traveled through the general store to grab their goodies. The kids also enjoyed a parade through the community, part of a festive Halloween celebration. Many schools in the area had similar events.